The winners were announced at a special ceremony held at Batch Country House in Weston-Super-Mare on Thursday, 5th December. Bath’s heritage sites won six awards in total:
- The Roman Baths & Pump Room:
- Gold in the Active & Learning Experience category for the ‘Unearthing Aquae Sulis – Life in a Roman Town’ activity
- Searcys at The Pump Room Restaurant awarded Gold for Café/Tearoom of the Year
- Silver for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism
- Bronze in the Large Visitor Attractions of the Year category
- Bath World Heritage Centre: Awarded Gold for Visitor Information Service
- Victoria Art Gallery: The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists exhibition won Bronze for Tourism Event of the Year
Robert Campbell, Head of Heritage Services, said: “Our staff work hard to provide an award-winning experience to all of our visitors at The Roman Baths, Victoria Art Gallery, and the Bath World Heritage Centre. It’s fantastic to have this dedication recognised with six prestigious Tourism Awards. To win across so many of our sites is a testament to the quality of experience we offer. I’m particularly proud to see our exceptional learning programme acknowledged as one of the best in the region.”
The Roman Baths is one of the UK’s top visitor attractions, welcoming over a million visitors annually. With some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in England, an award-winning museum, and immersive audio-visual experiences, the Roman Baths offers a rare glimpse into life in Roman Britain. The site also takes great pride in being as accessible as possible: 90% of the historic building is wheelchair accessible, and various resources are available for deaf, blind, partially sighted, and neurodiverse visitors.
The Roman Baths’ learning programme engages more than 30,000 schoolchildren each year, offering self-guided tours and curriculum-focused sessions in the state-of-the-art Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre. The gold award-winning ‘Unearthing Aquae Sulis’ sessions invite children to explore life in Roman Britain through hands-on archaeology, dressing up as Romans, and handling 2,000-year-old artefacts.
The Pump Room Restaurant, a historic Bath institution, serves as the perfect complement to a visit to the Roman Baths. One of the most beloved venues in Bath’s UNESCO World Heritage City, The Pump Room has been a vibrant social hub since 1795. Today guests can enjoy a memorable dining experience, featuring brunch and afternoon tea, all accompanied by live music from the Pump Room Trio or the resident pianist.
Bath World Heritage Centre, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, continues to inspire visitors through interactive exhibits and displays that explore the city’s rich cultural history. Offering free walking trails and a specially designed mobile app, the Centre helps visitors uncover both famous landmarks and hidden gems across Bath. The friendly, knowledgeable staff and volunteers ensure that every visitor leaves with a deeper understanding of Bath’s heritage.
The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery was one of the gallery’s most successful, attracting over 18,600 visitors from January to April. The exhibition celebrated Ladybird artists from 1940 to 1975, showcasing original illustrations, artefacts, and a wall of iconic books. The exhibition’s multi-generational appeal encouraged families to visit together, with activities like a recreated ‘Coco the Caravan’ reading nook, family trails, and engaging story sessions.
The Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards recognise the memorable experiences provided by Bath’s heritage attractions. With a range of learning programmes, exhibitions, and accessible services, these award-winning sites highlight the city’s dedication to preserving its rich history. For both local residents and visitors to the region, these attractions offer a chance to explore why Bath’s heritage sites are among the best in the country.
